Fettercairn Exceptionally Rare 50 Years Old 1966

A 50 year old Fettercairn, a distillery bottling, from 1966, cask 1, at 47.9%. Fettercairn is a Highland single malt from the foot of the Cairngorms in Aberdeenshire, known for its tropical fruit style. After Ramsay lost his fortune, the Fasque estate passed to the Gladstone family in 1829.

Made on mountain water with the stills drenched in cold water, the cooling rings lifting a clean, tropical character. It was matured in a Tawny Port cask, the wood working into the fruity malt. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the fruit to a honeyed, resinous depth of sotolon, coffee and old oak. Long ageing turns the fresh tropical fruit towards dried mango, coffee and a soft spice. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

At cask strength 47.9% it is full bodied. Pineapple, mango and a gentle honey, with a nutty, raisined red fruit from the cask. Mango, citrus and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. This is Fettercairn's pineapple led Highland style.